Following are brief highlights of the Wine Festival’s development. Since the first year, Wine Festival events have expanded, and more important, dollars raised have grown.

1992 – MSU Billings Foundation, in an effort to increase campus visibility, provide scholarship dollars to students and engage community volunteers with the Foundation and campus, formed an Ad Hoc Committee to explore a special event. Members were Dona Hagen, Gail Waller, Dottie Hollatz, Corby Skinner, Deb Dzuck and Dr. Bruce Carpenter, serving as a liaison member of the committee.

With Dr. Carpenter’s knowledge and love of wine, a wine festival seemed to be the way to go. After research on festivals across the country and visiting a few, the MSU Billings Foundation Board approved the idea and provided start-up funds.

Dona Hagen and Dottie Hollatz were the event’s co-chairs. Briggs Distributing Company became a partner with the Foundation and John Decker and Bob Wier of Briggs became members of the festival committee. Marriott Food Services, under the direction of Rick Waldt, also became a partner. Major sponsors of the event were Deaconess Medical Center, Exxon Billings Refinery, Fortin Enterprises and Norwest Bank/Norwest Capital Management.

1993 – The first Wine Festival was held on the campus of MSU Billings. It was a two-day event: Friday wine tasting and a Saturday gourmet dinner and live auction.